the adventures (& mishaps!) of one lucky gal: Vernal

Showing posts with label Vernal. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

I prefer chocolate bunnies, but these are pretty cute, too...

We spent Easter this year in Vernal - and luckily the Easter Bunny was able to find us and still bring some surprises.

One of the biggest hits was the ears Charli got in her basket - everyone wanted a picture with the E. Bunny's little helper.

Then, everyone wanted a turn wearing the ears.

Even Ruby!

Carson made a bunny mask and wore it pretty much the entire day. Even for the car ride home!

Friday, September 17, 2010

some handcart pioneers left precious family heirlooms behind on the trail, others must have left this:

At my mom's house there is a 9" TV/VCR combo machine in one of the guest bedrooms. When we let the kids lay in bed and watch a movie (VHS, nonetheless), they thought they were in heaven.

Tonight I overheard Halle telling her best galpal, Lauren, about the experience. In her words, she said:

"My Grandma Kremin has a TV in the bedroom we slept in - you know, the kind from the olden days - and we watched a videotape at bedtime!"

It makes me feel old to know my memory recalls the days before something that came from the OLDEN DAYS!!!!

Saturday, September 11, 2010

there's something in the air...

I'm in Vernal this weekend.
10:30 p.m. found me walking around my parents' backyard.
I stopped by the willow and looked up, moved to see there were so many stars - and absolutely no clouds - in the dark night sky.
A hint of fall was detected as the branches swayed slowly back and forth.
I inhaled the crisp air and it was oh, so sweet.
And then before I knew it my cheeks were damp because everything about it was beautiful and simple, and gratitude overwhelmed me.
-
I love it here.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

what i love most about going home to vernal...

1. I love waking up early and stepping out on my parents west porch to see the blue, blue sky -- is it just me or does Vernal have fewer clouds than most places? -- and sucking in a long, deep breath of sweet-smelling air!

2. Mom & Dad's backyard -- I love how big it is, how much grass there is, that my kids have so much fun playing in it, and that it's surrounded by pretty fields (and horses!)

3. Mom's sewing room -- she's incredibly gifted. Many beautiful quilts, dresses, and other fine projects have come from this room and her talented hands.

4. Brett's favorite spot: the recliner!

5. Mom's Peonies...when we were there in June they were in full bloom. I couldn't stop walking by them!

6. the KITCHEN - Comfort food = Mom's food!

7. The sound of their back doorbell - we always know it's family when it's the BACK doorbell that rings. I love the out-of-tune "PING" it makes! I especially love the duet of "PING/RECLINER RELEASE"...that means Mom or Dad is getting out of their recliner to see who's here. Those two sounds go together like Steineker & Reservoir.

8. The Kitchen Table -- I associate this sight with lots of laughter, story-telling, game-playing (Arizona Rules, of course), and family togetherness.

9. Mom's super-annoying Bird Clock - I hate but love it at the same time. I'd totally miss it if it were gone. A different bird sings to you at the top of every hour. My favorites? The Woodpecker (4:00), Goose (5:00) and Owl (12:00).

10. This view. I love to see Anderton's horses running in the pasture. And in the winter time, a cool frosted oval greets you every morning in the middle of the bay window. Many a grandbaby has stood against the back of the couch excitedly watching the horses gallop by.

I miss Vernal. It's changed in so many ways, and I've changed in so many ways, that the Wasatch Front feel much more like my home now, but there's something about where you grew up, the house you were raised in, the people and memories you cherish, that make going back feel like "home", too. I may never live there again--in fact I'd be very surprised if I did--but I'm so grateful I get to go visit. It's like...it's like you walk in, sit down, put your feet up, and exhale a huge "Ahhhhh". You can be yourself, you can feel safe, and no matter what, there's unconditional love waiting for you there.